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Last night (after a brief stop at a Crashed Ice party), we picked up out sitter and had a great night out of theatre events!

First, we used our Artshare memberships for the first time at the Southern Theatre to see Rehearsing Failure at Theatre Novi Most. Novi Most is relatively new in town (within the last few years), and had been on my radar, but I had not made it there to see anything yet. Then, over the summer, we saw Artistic Director Lisa Channer perform in a Skewed Visions piece, "3-Play," and we loved it. This began a new friendship with Lisa, and Patrick joined their board this fall.

The piece literally turns the Southern around; you are sitting in a small set of seats on the side of the stage (and opening night was sold out!) The show itself was fantastic — well written, a design that was especially strong on lighting and video, and some of the strongest performances I have seen in years. The entire cast — Pearce Bunting, Billy Mullaney, Annie Enneking, and Sara Ri…

One of my favorite things about working at IFP Minnesota is learning about film. I'm really an idiot in this area; I know very little about film production, and I don't seem to have that encyclopedic knowledge that everyone else seems to have about most movies ever made. But this isn't from a lack of interest, but rather a lack of experience.

For the third year in a row, IFP is screening the Independent Spirit Awards with the Walker Art Center. The awards, which are basically the independent film version of the Oscars, are shown in New York, LA, and here, thanks to Andrew making them a priority 2 years ago. I feel incredibly lucky to get a chance to see them, and they are FREE to IFP members! (and staff members, of course). Plus we get to vote on the winners, like an Academy member.

The part I love best is seeing things I likely would not normally see. Case in point — tonight's showing of "LOve Is Strange," with writer and director Ira Sachs in attendance for…

Beatrix is in a book club with her good friends Meara, Brogan, and Flannery. Each girl takes a turn choosing a book and hosting — they talk about the book, often have a little quiz about it, maybe do an activity related to it, and then talk and play. (really just like every adult book club, but with less wine).

This month, though, we got a special chance to have Flannery's family friend, David — who is an MIA docent — take us on a special tour. Apparently, the Institute does adult book clubs, where they read a book and then tour the art. David wanted to pilot a kids version, based on "Charlotte's Web."

We met under the Chihuly sculpture, which Beatrix thought looked a lot like an egg sac:

The girls walking up the stairs with David:

The first thing David showed us was a newish pop-art sculpture of a dog. He started with this because, at the beginning of the book, Wilbur is very small and the world seems very large to him.

I'm serious about my traditions. So, even though you begin to see Facebook posts about people putting away their holiday decorations, and discarded Christmas trees start lining the curbs waiting for some mysterious tree fairy soon after, we ALWAYS leave ours up at least until January 6. It's bad luck not to.

But there's something else I enjoy about stretching Christmas out, even though it's a hard time of the year for me. It seems like the "Christmas season" begins ever earlier in the fall — and that as we get into Advent, the days get ever-busier. The thing that I like most about celebrating through Twelfth Night is that breather it gives you to still be able to enjoy the holidays, but in a less frenzied manner. There are still leftover cookies and bright lights on the tree, there is maybe a little extra time to get together with friends, and it just makes the holidays seem a little warmer and brighter.

Resolution #1 – Use
We have SO much. Our pantry is full of half-eaten food, the
desk full of gift cards, the bathroom closet full of lotion and product. This
year, I resolve to use all of that stuff, before buying new (as much as
possible).
Resolution #2 – Re-Use
I have been active on several neighborhood Buy/Sell/Trade
boards, even co-founding one for my community. In 2015, I will sell 100 items
on those boards (and hopefully not buy 100!)
Resolution #3 – Create
I’m never so happy as when I am making things, even if it is
just simple crafts. In 2015, I will do more of that, though I am resisting
setting quotas or measurable for it.
Resolution #4 – Frame
Frame our art and hang it — it’s not doing any good sitting
in a pile. Print photos and frame them.
Resolution #5 – Enjoy Minnesota
I’m always talking about how much I love living here. In
2015, I will enjoy Minnesota more — some Minnesota travel (maybe ice caves, or
even just the cabin), attending various summer festivals (goal of 1…